Circumstance | Evidence required | Comments |
Illness | Either: - An original medical
certificate, or
- A letter from an appropriate medical professional, or
- A letter
from the University Counselling Service
Any of which should confirm the nature
of your illness and the likely impact it is having on your ability to prepare for and undertake your assessment. | Short-term
illness (less than 7 days) will not generally be considered as an extenuating
circumstance, as you are generally given several weeks/months to complete and
submit your work. |
Hospitalisation | A
medical letter or certificate from the relevant hospital confirming the nature and
severity of your circumstances and the likely period of impact of your studies. | |
Family
illness | A medical certificate or letter from an independent medical professional confirming the nature and severity of the family circumstances and the impact it is having on your ability to undertake your assessment. | |
Bereavement | Either: - A death certificate, or
- A letter from an
independent professional (not a family member). This letter must contain their contact details and their view on the
closeness of your relationship with the deceased.
| This
is only applicable where there is a demonstrably close relationship between you
and the deceased. |
Pregnancy | If
you become pregnant or your partner becomes pregnant, you may need to submit extenuating circumstances claims for appointments. You will need
to provide an appointment letter or medical letter. | Helpful advice is in our Pregnancy &
Maternity Policy. |
Acute
Personal/Emotional Circumstances | Either: - An original medical certificate, or
- A letter from an appropriate medical professional, or
- A letter from the University Counselling Service, external counsellor or statement from a support service.
All letters should confirm the nature of
the illness and the likely impact it is having on your ability to
undertake formal assessment and/or study. | If your
circumstances are of a nature that you do not want the information to be seen
by anyone, your university counsellor can write to the Chair of the Extenuation
Panel on your behalf detailing their findings. |
Victim of crime | A written
statement of events supported by written evidence from the police, including a
crime number. Where the impact of the
crime has led to a medical issue, then a medical certificate or letter from an
appropriate medical professional, or from the University Counselling Service, is required to confirm the impact the crime has had/is having on your studies. | |
Domestic disruption | A
letter from an appropriate, independent professional or authority detailing the
relevant circumstances and indication of the likely impact on your
studies. | This only
applies to examinations, unless the circumstances are exceptionally severe.
Disturbances caused by your
housemates would generally be considered normal, not exceptional. |
Representing
the university at a national event | A
letter of confirmation from the relevant organising body and a supporting
statement from you explaining why the event should be considered as significant. | |
Jury Service | A letter from the Court and proof that a deferral has been requested and rejected. | If
you are asked to undertake Jury Service, you must make a request to the Court
for it to be deferred. It is only if
this request is refused that your extenuating circumstances will be considered acceptable. |
Court attendance (UK) | If you are required to attend
court as a witness, defendant or plaintiff, you need to provide either: - An official correspondence from the court confirming your attendant. or
- A solicitor's letter
detailing the nature and dates of the legal proceedings and your requirement to
attend.
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